The U.N. In Yugoslavia (1922)Alex Dalla ZannaDomenic Fayad

The Background

• Yugoslavia was composed of 3 main ethnic who

were historically known to have deep distrust/

tension with one another – the Serbs (Orthodox);

the Croats (Catholic); and the Kosovars (Islamic).

• Religious differences was a focal point of tension in

the Western Part of the Balkans (Yugoslavia) and

was even considered the capital of conflict between

the Islamic and Christian throughout the century.

• Ladder to the Communist era, the various ethnic

groups broke away and formed independent states

(Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia) which led to civil wars

where the goal was to drive out other ethnic groups

by force – this came to be known as ethnic

cleansing.

Easy to read map of 1922 Yugoslavia (Highlighted regions).

Slovenia & Croatia• Slovenia and Croatia both declared independence from

Yugoslavia in 1991 as a result for their respective desire

for ethnic separation – this was an issue to the Yugoslav

gov’t because this meant that the minority Serb

population would be very hard to protect.

• In Slovenia, the process of separation was smooth with

no harm done. However, in Croatia, this was not the

case.

• Croatia began to expel the Serbian population in 1995,

and despite CDN Peacekeepers, an ethnic cleansing of

the Serbians in Croatia was unfortunately successful.

• In Bosnia, the desire for ethnic separation was evident

as well, and led to many civil wars between the 3 main

ethno – religious groups: the Serbs (Orthodox), the

Bosnians (Muslims), and the Croats (Catholic).

The Bosnian War• The UN peacekeeping mission classified as UNPROFOR, was sent and established in

Sarajevo in 1992, as the fighting in Bosnia out broke 1992 and continued until 1995.

• The original UN mission, UNPROFOR, was created to set up peacekeeping troops along the

ceasefire line, but there was no peace to keep, as there was a full on civil war raging in

Bosnia. UNPROFOR was then told to open ways for convoys to bring in food and medical

supplies, by attempting to occupy the demilitarized area.

• The UN peacekeepers were a majorly involved in ceasing the negative impact of the brutal

civil war however, after some time, the areas considered to be “safe area” that were set up

by the UN, had been destroyed by the Serbians.

• CDN peacekeeping soldiers were attacked by the Croatians, but countered with a full - scale

assault to regain control of the ceasefire zone. The Croatians, after murdering, raping and

committing crimes of destruction against countless civilians of different ethnic groups,

eventually left Bosnia. This peacekeeping mission in Bosnia later was referred to ask the

worst battle involving CDNs since the end of the Korean War. The UN learned a key lesson

from the war in Bosnia: peacekeeping is best carried out by combat – trained well equipped

professional troops.

The Bosnian War – CDN Participation

• The Canadian role in the UN mission UNPROFOR in Bosnia was to

carry out peace in an area where peace was nowhere to be found.

• In 1998, Canada, as part of NATO, was involved in a first ever

military operation against an independent country, and was

engaged in a very controversial air strike against the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia.

• As a result of the bombing, controversy questioning Canada’s role in

the NATO, and the NATO’s role in the “new world order”.

• The effectiveness of NATO was being questioned by the world

through their failure to bring peace in Yugoslavia and several other

conflicts at the time.

• Still an Issue? Yes as over 1,650 Canadian peacekeepers are

still present in Bosnia over this conflict.

Bibliography

Pearson’s Counterpoints 11 E –

Text

Socials 11 Work Book

Wikipedia – Yugslavia 1992

Google Images